75 years ago, Winnipeggers said “WHAT IF?”

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The Nazis never invaded Winnipeg during World War II – but what if they had?

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/02/2017 (3200 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Nazis never invaded Winnipeg during World War II – but what if they had?

In 1942 Winnipeggers staged If Day to find out what that would be like.

The unique event saw a mock invasion of German forces complete with book burning, imprisonment of local politicians and a victory parade through the city.

Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Nazi troops, played by the young men's division of the Board of Trade, parade down Portage Avenue, renamed Adolf Hitler Strasse during mock invasion.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Nazi troops, played by the young men's division of the Board of Trade, parade down Portage Avenue, renamed Adolf Hitler Strasse during mock invasion.

For the 75th anniversary of If Day we’ve combed our archives for photos from the event.

Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Within the walls of Lower Fort Garry the Germans haul down the Union Jack and get ready to hoist the swastika flag in its place.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Within the walls of Lower Fort Garry the Germans haul down the Union Jack and get ready to hoist the swastika flag in its place.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Men portraying Nazi officers inspect mock German troops at Lower Fort Garry.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Men portraying Nazi officers inspect mock German troops at Lower Fort Garry.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Nazi officers discuss further moves in the occupation in a conference outside the fort on If Day.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Nazi officers discuss further moves in the occupation in a conference outside the fort on If Day.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
A Nazi officer reads charges to provincial cabinet minister Errick Willis (from left), premier John Bracken., cabinet minister J. S. McDiarmid, cabinet minister James McLeneghan and Winnipeg mayor John Queen after confining them to the dungeon.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives A Nazi officer reads charges to provincial cabinet minister Errick Willis (from left), premier John Bracken., cabinet minister J. S. McDiarmid, cabinet minister James McLeneghan and Winnipeg mayor John Queen after confining them to the dungeon.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Under guard of Nazi troopers, Selkirk citizens are marched off to jail.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Under guard of Nazi troopers, Selkirk citizens are marched off to jail.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Manitoba premier John Bracken, cabinet minister Errick Wills and other members of the cabinet and civic officials on their way to cells at Lower Fort Garry.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Manitoba premier John Bracken, cabinet minister Errick Wills and other members of the cabinet and civic officials on their way to cells at Lower Fort Garry.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Nazis arrest Selkirk secretary-treasurer Outhwaite, Selkirk mayor William Berrisford and other town citizens.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Nazis arrest Selkirk secretary-treasurer Outhwaite, Selkirk mayor William Berrisford and other town citizens.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Winnipeg Mayor John Queen being arrested.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Winnipeg Mayor John Queen being arrested.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
A squad of German troopers grabs Henry Weppler, a Free Press newsie.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives A squad of German troopers grabs Henry Weppler, a Free Press newsie.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Nazi troopers surround a Free Press newsie, tear up his papers and scatter them on the street.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Nazi troopers surround a Free Press newsie, tear up his papers and scatter them on the street.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Rev. John Anderson protests to a squad of soldiers about to place placards on All Saints' church.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Rev. John Anderson protests to a squad of soldiers about to place placards on All Saints' church.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Nazis escort Rev. John Anderson from All Saints' Church.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Nazis escort Rev. John Anderson from All Saints' Church.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Canadian militia defending Winnipeg on If Day
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Canadian militia defending Winnipeg on If Day
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Defending Winnipeg against mock Nazi blitz.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Defending Winnipeg against mock Nazi blitz.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Riflemen defending Winnipeg against the mock Nazi blitz.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Riflemen defending Winnipeg against the mock Nazi blitz.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Defenders of Winnipeg against mock Nazi blitz.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Defenders of Winnipeg against mock Nazi blitz.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
Defending Winnipeg against a mock Nazi blitz on If Day.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives Defending Winnipeg against a mock Nazi blitz on If Day.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives
A firing squad detail lined up in foreground in this photo from the Winnipeg Grain Exchange just before they shot down the effigies of Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito.
Winnipeg Free Press Archives A firing squad detail lined up in foreground in this photo from the Winnipeg Grain Exchange just before they shot down the effigies of Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito.
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